VAT guides
Guides on validating VAT numbers with VIES and HMRC, the EU reverse charge, VAT validation in code and choosing a VAT validation API.
Explainer
VIES VAT number validation explained
How the EU's VIES system checks VAT numbers, what it returns, why it is often unavailable, how UK numbers are checked since Brexit, and how to automate VIES checks.
Explainer
Reverse charge VAT explained
How the EU reverse charge works for B2B goods and services, what to write on the invoice, why you must verify the customer's VAT number and how to keep proof.
Tutorial ยท JavaScript, Python, PHP
Validate VAT numbers in code
Validate EU and UK VAT numbers in JavaScript, Python and PHP: regex format checks, check digits with python-stdnum, and live VIES/HMRC registration checks with an API.
Comparison
Best VAT validation APIs in 2026
VAT number validation APIs compared: vatcheckapi, vatlayer, Vatstack and VIES/HMRC directly. Coverage, free tiers and price per validation.
VAT validation API
Validate VAT numbers in your app
vatcheckapi checks the format and checksum of EU and UK VAT numbers and confirms the registration with VIES and HMRC, with company name and address where the country provides them.
Read the docs150 free validations every month. No credit card required.
GET https://api.vatcheckapi.com/v2/check?vat_number=LU26375245
{
"country_code": "LU",
"vat_number": "26375245",
"format_valid": true,
"checksum_valid": true,
"registration_info": {
"is_registered": true,
"name": "AMAZON EUROPE CORE S.A R.L.",
"address": "38, AVENUE JOHN F. KENNEDY\nL-1855 LUXEMBOURG",
"checked_at": "2023-01-11T12:30:28.000000Z"
}
}